Aria slammed the door behind her, the sound echoing down the hallway. Her aunt's voice had just faded from the room, another lecture about responsibility, discipline, and how Aria's attitude toward her studies needed correcting. Her aunt, Mrs. Evangeline Hale, sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. How did a sweet, obedient girl like her turn into this? she wondered. Aria didn't care. Not today. She strode out of the house, ignoring the afternoon sun and the neighbors' curious glances. She just needed to breathe and to get as far away from her aunt as possible. She arrived at her best friend Lili's house a few blocks away and let herself in without knocking. Lili looked up from the couch, eyebrows raised. "Another quarrel with your aunt?" Lili asked, smiling knowingly. Aria rolled her eyes dramatically. "You could say that." She marched straight to the fridge, yanking it open and grabbing a cold soda. She popped the cap with a snap and took a long sip. "She just won't leave me alone!" Aria complained, pacing a little. "She keeps acting like she's my mom, telling me what to do, what not to do... I'm an adult! I know what I want for myself!" Lili sighed, getting up from the couch. She walked over and gently took Aria's hand. "Maybe in your aunt's eyes," she said, trying not to laugh, "you're still five years old." Aria pushed her away, chuckling as she took another sip. "Yeah, right," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Lili grinned, undeterred. "Anyway... I got something to cheer you up." Aria raised a brow, curious despite herself. Lili dug in her bag and pulled out a small, shiny envelope. "A ticket invite. Guess what?" Aria leaned against the counter. "To what?" "A party. Hosted by Andrew Coleman." Lili's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You know... the billionaire businessman? The one all the wealthy elites will be attending?" Aria blinked. "Uh... no. Never heard of him. How did you get the invite?" Lili laughed, tossing the envelope at her. "You forgot that your dad has connections with these people? I saw the man's secretary hand him the invite. Since he won't attend, I grabbed it instead." Aria laughed, taking the envelope and examining it. "You're such a thief," she teased. Lili frowned dramatically. "I'm not taking you to a party again if you say that." Aria chuckled, shaking her head. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry... while laughing, of course." "Good," Lili said, smiling. "At least tonight, we'll have something to unwind about." "And seriously," Aria said, spinning around the kitchen, "do you realize who's going to be there? Billionaires, CEOs, actors, probably people who have private jets for breakfast!" Lili laughed. "Exactly. We might as well act rich ourselves. Fancy dresses, sparkling heels, the works!" Aria flopped onto the couch dramatically. "Ugh, I don't even know where to start. I don't have a gown that screams 'I'm the girl you can't ignore!'" Lili waved a hand. "Don't worry. I already scouted a few boutiques online. We can make you a stunner. Something red, maybe? Shows confidence. And you can't go wrong with heels that click when you walk. Every rich guy in the room will notice." Aria laughed, nearly spilling her soda. "Heels? You want me hobbling all night? I need to be able to run if the party gets boring!" Lili elbowed her playfully. "No excuses, miss. You'll survive. Besides, it's not every day you get to sip champagne and look at yachts on Instagram while pretending you belong there." Aria tilted her head, thinking. "Okay... fine. But what about you? What are you wearing?" Lili smirked. "I was thinking emerald green. Classic, elegant, but not over the top. Paired with some killer heels and maybe, just maybe a necklace that will make the cameras hungry." Aria grinned. "Perfect. Then we'll both look irresistible." They both erupted into laughter, imagining the glitz and glamour. Aria felt a surge of excitement she hadn't felt in weeks. The stresses of school, her aunt's constant nagging, the endless lectures about responsibilities, all of it melted away in that moment. "This is going to be so much fun," Aria said, clapping her hands. "I want the richest, most arrogant guy to see me and realize, yeah, she's the one." Lili laughed. "And maybe he'll actually approach us instead of looking like he's bored." Aria smirked. "Well, I don't settle for boring. He has to impress me first." The girls fell silent for a moment, imagining the night ahead, the music, the sparkling lights, the champagne, the laughter, and the possibility of adventure. Aria smiled. Finally, a night for myself. No lectures, no rules, no expectations... just me. She took another long sip from her drink, excitement bubbling in her chest. Tonight, she would forget the world. Tonight, she would be free. And maybe... just maybe, she would meet someone who could keep up with her.

The night sparkled with lights and music as Aria and Lili arrived at Andrew Coleman's mansion. Aria wore a deep emerald-green dress that hugged her curves perfectly, flowing down to just above her knees. The fabric shimmered under the golden chandeliers, catching the light with every movement. Her hair, a cascade of chestnut waves, framed her face, bouncing as she laughed and twirled. Lili looked stunning in a sapphire-blue gown, elegant and daring, with a thigh-high slit that made her heels click confidently against the marble floor. No one would have guessed they were college students. Tonight, they belonged to a world of wealth, glamour, and sophistication. They moved to the dance floor, letting the music carry them. Aria spun gracefully, feeling the cool fabric of her dress brush against her legs. Lili twirled beside her, her laughter ringing out like bells. "This is amazing!" Aria said, her voice almost lost under the rhythm of the live band. "I could get used to this. No lectures, no deadlines... just music and freedom." Lili laughed. "Exactly. Tonight, we're queens of the world." A few men approached, drinks in hand, smiling with a practiced charm. One offered a hand, another attempted a smooth compliment. Aria smiled politely, stepping back. "Not my type," she said quietly to Lili, shaking her head. "I don't do flattery and fake smiles. I like men who... I don't know... actually have substance. Or at least a little challenge." Lili chuckled. "Good for you. Most girls here would throw themselves at every millionaire in a three-mile radius. Not us." Aria smirked. "Exactly. I didn't come here to have trouble with boys, just to unwind." She spun again, letting the skirt of her dress flare. "Some of them are... just ridiculous." "You're right. You'd never survive their arrogance," Lili teased, linking her arm with Aria's as they laughed and danced together. "Besides, someone much better might show up tonight. Someone who actually makes your heart skip." Aria rolled her eyes playfully. "Sure, Lili... let's see who's going to impress me first." They continued dancing, spinning, laughing, and sipping drinks between songs. Aria felt free for the first time in weeks. Every worry, every frustration from her aunt's lectures or college assignments seemed to dissolve into the music and glittering lights. Meanwhile, Kael Ravyn entered the party with Riven, both dressed immaculately in tailored black suits. Kael's presence drew attention, as always. They exchanged polite greetings with a few acquaintances before Kael took a seat beside Andrew Coleman to discuss business matters. Andrew, ever curious, leaned back in his chair and smirked. "So, Kael... you have a girlfriend yet? Or are you into men?" Kael let out a sarcastic laugh. "Even if I were, Andrew... you wouldn't be my type." They chuckled and moved on to talk investments, mergers, and corporate strategy. But Kael's attention wasn't fully on Andrew. His gaze drifted to the dance floor, scanning the crowd, until he froze. There she was. Aria, spinning freely, her chestnut hair flowing like silk and her emerald dress catching the light with every turn. She danced like she owned the world, carefree, confident, radiant. Her laughter rang above the music, infectious and bright. But it wasn't just her dancing that captivated him. Something deep inside stirred, an undeniable pull, magnetic and urgent. He wanted to be near her, compelled in a way he didn't understand. "Kael! Kael!" Andrew's voice broke through his trance. Kael blinked, shaking himself, and excused himself politely. But as he moved, the pull only grew stronger, guiding him across the dance floor. Then it happened. A waitress carrying a tray passed between them, and Kael, lost in the pull, collided with her. Drinks spilled across Aria. "Ahh!" Aria screamed, startling everyone nearby. The waitress gasped and hurried away, apologizing as she went. Aria whipped around to see who had caused the mess, and froze. A pair of ocean-blue eyes met hers. For a heartbeat, time seemed to stop. Their gaze locked, and something unexplainable stirred within both of them, a mix of recognition, excitement, and raw instinct. They didn't know what it was, but they felt it. It wasn't until Lili's voice called, "Aria! Are you okay?" that Aria blinked, snapping back to reality. She glared at the man before her. "Watch where you're going!" she snapped. "Are you blind?!" Her eyes darted to her dress, now soaked with the spilled drink. Great. Borrowed dress, ruined, and I have to return it. She marched off toward the restroom, Lili following. Kael remained frozen, stunned. In Noxvaris, he had always been Alpha, respected, feared, even without his full powers. In the mortal realm, he was a billionaire, commanding influence and respect. Yet none of that mattered here. He couldn't deny it. The attraction he felt wasn't ordinary. Riven tapped his shoulder, smirking knowingly. Kael turned, eyes wide, and Riven's expression said it all: I think you may have found your mate.

"I went through a lot of trouble gathering this information, bro," Riven said, leaning back in the leather chair. "Seems your mate is... a strong one." Kael raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. "How are you sure she's my mate?" Riven smirked. "And you're making me go through all this just to find information about someone who might not even be your mate? Or... is this about the way she talked to you that day?" Kael ignored the jab. "Tell me what you gathered." "Well," Riven began, leaning forward, "I found out she's a college student. Her name is Aria Vale.Final year, precisely. She lives with her aunt, her parents are deceased. Now, here's the interesting part: she was born on the exact same day our world was attacked by the enemies, the same day you were given the suppressants." Riven's eyes glimmered with a mix of excitement and awe. "Maybe this is truly fate." Kael ran a hand through his dark hair. "What about her parents? How did they die?" Riven shrugged. "Not much info on that. Only that her mother passed away giving birth to her. She grew up with her father... until he passed. As far as I could tell, her father was just a normal man who taught at a school. No connections to the underworld." Kael leaned back, disbelief flashing across his face. "So... you're saying she's a normal human? How is that possible? How can I, an Alpha, be mated to a human being and an annoying one at that?" Riven let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "I worry for you, brother. Are you sure three months will be enough? She seems... impossible. Hot-headed. Headstrong. She won't make this easy." Kael let out a long, frustrated sigh, spinning a pen between his fingers. "Of course she won't make it easy. Nothing ever does." "You can start by getting close to her first," Riven said, leaning back. "Best to let go of all the tension and focus on the task at hand." Kael's gaze sharpened. "So... what do you suggest I do, exactly? Just get close to... Miss Impossible?" Riven smirked, enjoying the frustration he was causing. "Well, she's in college. You can't exactly go back to school now, can you?" Kael narrowed his eyes. "C'mon, man. Stop teasing." Riven laughed. "Alright, alright. Think about it, why not become her college teacher?" Kael froze, the idea igniting a spark in his eyes. Of course. That's perfect. "Yes... that's it. That's the best way to do it. I'll find out her class, her schedule... pull the strings to get close." His mind raced with possibilities. Riven leaned back, nodding approvingly. "With your status and influence? That won't even be hard. The real challenge... will be dealing with her stubborn streak." Kael's lips curved into a thin smile, dark and determined. "Stubborn streak or not... I will make it work. She's mine, Riven. Whether she likes it or not." Riven tapped away at his tablet, the soft glow reflecting off his amused expression. After a few hours, he let out a low chuckle. "Well," he said casually, turning the screen toward Kael, "that was easier than I thought." Kael's eyes flicked to the screen, scanning the details. Visiting Lecturer , Department of Business and Economics. Everything had been arranged under a carefully crafted identity. "You already pulled the job?" Kael asked. Riven shrugged. "With your influence in the mortal realm, all it took was one call. The college board was more than happy to have a 'distinguished businessman' share his experience with their students." He smirked. "You start next week." Kael leaned back, exhaling slowly. "So it begins." Riven studied him for a moment, then spoke more seriously. "Listen, brother. I know what's at stake here-the throne, the pack, the pressure but you need to take this easy." Kael shot him a look. "Easy?" "Yes," Riven said firmly. "No alpha commands, no intimidating stares, no forcing things. She's not part of our world. Yet." Kael's jaw tightened. "I don't plan to scare her." "Good," Riven replied. "Because the moment she feels cornered, she'll bolt. And from everything I've learned about her... she's not the type to be controlled." Kael went silent, remembering the fire in her eyes the night of the party. The way she had scolded him without hesitation. The way she had walked away as if he were the insignificant one. "She didn't bow," he murmured. "Not even for a second." Riven smiled knowingly. "Exactly. So let her come to you. Observe her. Learn her habits. Get close but don't push." Kael's fingers curled slowly into a fist. "And if the bond reacts?" Riven's expression softened. "Then you endure it. Suppressed or not, the mate bond is powerful. But if you rush it, you could trigger something neither of you are ready for." Kael looked away, staring into the distance. "I don't even know if she can feel it." "Maybe she can't," Riven said. "Or maybe she's been taught not to believe in it. Either way, your job is simple, blend in. Be human." Kael let out a dry laugh. "An alpha pretending to teach humans. Funny how fate works." Riven stood, placing a hand on Kael's shoulder. "Just remember, you're not there as an Alpha. You're there as a man searching for answers. Let things unfold naturally." Kael nodded slowly. "Three months," he said under his breath. "That's all I have." Riven smirked. "Plenty of time to fall into trouble." Kael's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. "Trouble already found me. I just didn't know her name yet." And somewhere in the mortal realm, Aria lived her life unaware that the man destined to change everything had already stepped into her world-quietly, deliberately, and bound by a pull neither of them could escape.